THE PREVENTION OF

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT, 1960

(59 of 1960)

As amended by Central Act 26 of 1982.

THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT, 1960

(59 OF 1960)
As amended by Central Act 26 of 1982.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section No.

CHAPTER I - PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement.

2. Definitions.
3. Duties of persons having charge of animals.

CHAPTER II - ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA

4. Establishment of Animal Welfare Board of India.

5. Constitution of the Board.
5A. Reconstitution of the Board.
6. Term of off ice and conditions of service of Members of the Board,
7. Secretary and other employees of the Board.
8. Funds of the Board.
9. Functions of the 'Board.
10. Power of Board to make regulations.

CHAPTER III-CRUELTY TO ANIMALS GENERALLY

11. Treating animals cruelly.

12. Penalty for practising phooka or doom dev.
13. 'Destruction of suffering animals'.

CHAPTER IV-EXPERIMENTATION OF ANIMALS

14. Experiments on animals.

15. Committee for control and supervision of experiments on animals.
15A. Sub-Committee.
16. Staff of the Committee.
17. Duties of the Committee and power of the Committee to make rules relating to
experiments on animals.
18. Power of entry and inspection.
19. Power to prohibit experiments on animals.
20. Penalties.

CHAPTER V-PERFORMING ANIMALS

21. "Exhibit" and "train" defined.
22. Restriction on exhibition and training of performing animals.
23. Procedure for registration.
24. Power of court to prohibit or restrict exhibition and training of performing animals.
25. Power to enter premises.
26. Offences.
27. Exemptions.

CHAPTER VI-MISCELLANEOUS

28. Saving as respects manner of killing prescribed by religion.

29. Power of court to deprive person convicted of ownership of animal.
30. Presumptions as to guilt in certain cases.
31. Cognizability of offences.
32. Powers of search and seizure.
33. Search warrants.
34. General Power of seizure for examination.
35. Treatment and care of animals.
36. Limitation of prosecutions.
37. Delegation of powers.
38. Power to make rules.
38A. Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament.
39. Persons authorised under section 34 to be public servants.
40. Indemnity.
41. Repeal of Act 11 of 1890.

LIST OF ABBREVATIONS USED

Ins. Inserted
S. Section
Subs. Substituted.
 THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT, 1960
(59 OF 1960)
(26th December, 1960)
AN ACT

to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and for that
purpose to amend the law relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Eleventh year of the Republic of India as follows:

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement : (1) This Act may be called the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. ,
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification in the official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be
appointed for different States and for the different provisions comained in this
Act.

2. Definitions : In this Act, unless the context otherwise. requires,

(a) "animal" means any living creature other than a human being,
1
[(b) "Board" means the Board established under Section 4. and as reconstituted
from time to time under Section 5A]
(c) "captive animal" means any animal (not being a domestic animal) which is in
capacity or confinement, whether permanent or temporary, or which is
subjected to any appliance of contrivance for the purpose of hindering or
preventing its escape from captivity or confinement or which is pinioned or
which is or appears to be. maimed;
(d) "domestic animal" means any animal which is tamed or which has been or is
being sufficiently tamed to serve some purpose for the use of man or which,
although it neither has been nor is intended to be so tamed, is or has become in
fact wholly or partly tamed-,

(e) "local authority" means a municipal committee, district board or other

authority for the time being invested by law with the control and
administration of any matters within a specified local area;

(f) "owner", used with reference to an animal, includes not only the owner but
also any other person for the time being in possession or custody of the animal,
whether with or without the consent of the owner.

(g) "phooka" or "doom dev" includes any process of introducing air or any
substance into the female organ of a milch animal with the object of drawing
off from the animal any secretion of milk;

(h) "prescribed" means prescribed by Rules made under this Act;

 (i) "street" includes any way, road, lane, square, court, alley, passage or open
space, whether a thoroughfare or not to which the public have access.

3. Duties of persons having charge of animals : It shall be the duty of every person
having the care or charge of any animal to take all reasonable measures to ensure the
well-being of such animal and to prevent the infliction upon such animal of
unnecessary pain or suffering.

CHAPTER II
2
(ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA)

4. Establishment of Animal Welfare Board of India : (1) For the promotion of

animal welfare generally and for the purpose of protecting animals from being
subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering, in particular, there shall be established by
the Central Government, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act, a
Board to be called the 3(Animal Board of India.)

(2) The Board, shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a
common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and
dispose of property and may by its name sue and be sued.

5. Constitution of the Board : (1) The Board shall consist of the following
persons, namely:
(a) the Inspector General of Forests, Government of India, ex-officio,
(b) the Animal Husbandry Commissioner to the Government of India,
ex-officio;
4
(ba) two persons to represent respectively the Ministries of the Central Government
dealing with Home Aff airs and Education, to be appointed by the Central
Government;
(bb) one person to represent the Indian Board for Wild Life, to be appointed by the
Central Government;
(bc) three persons who, in the opinion of the Central Government, are or have been
actively engaged in animal welfare work and are well-known humanitarians, to
be nominated by the Central Government;)
(c) one person to represent such association of veterinary practitioners as in the
opinion of the Central Government ought to be represented on the Board, to be
elected by that association in the prescribed manner;
(d) two persons to represent practitioners of modern and indigenous systems of
medicine, to be nominated by the Central Government;
5
[(e) one person to represent each of such two municipal corporations as in the
opinion of the Central Government ought to be represented on the Board, to be
elected by each of the said corporations in the prescribed manner

(f) one person to represent each of such three organisations actively interested in
animal welfare as in the opinion of the Central Government ought to be
represented on the Board, to be chosen by each of the said organisations in the
prescribed manner;
(g) one person to represent each of such three societies dealing with prevention of
cruelty to animal as in the opinion of the Central Government ought to be
represented on the Board, to be chosen, in the prescribed manner;

(h) three persons to be nominated by the Central Government,

(i) six Members of Parliament, four to be elected by the House of the People (Lok
Sabha) and two by the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

(2) Any of the persons referred to in clause 9a) or 6[clause (b) or clause (ba) or
clause (bb) of sub-section (1) may depute any other person to attend any of the
meetings of the Board.
7
[(3) The Central Government shall nominate one of the members of the Board to
be its Chairman and another member of the Board to be its Vice-Chairman.)

5A. Reconstitution of the Board : 8[5.A (1) In order that the Chairman and other
members of the Board hold off ice till the same date and that their terms of off
ice come to an end on the same date, the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, reconstitute, as soon as may be after the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act, 1982 comes into force,
the Board.

(2) The Board as reconstituted under sub-section (1) shall be reconstituted from
time to time on the expiration of every third year, from the date of its
reconstitution under sub-section (1).

(3) There shall be included amongst the members of the Board reconstituted under
sub-section (1), all persons who immediately before the date on which such
reconstitution is to take effect, are Members of the Board but such persons
shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term for which they
would have held office if such reconstitution had not been made and the
vacancies arising as a result of their ceasing to be Members of the Board shall
be filled up as casual vacancies for the remaining period of the term of the
Board as so reconstituted:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply in relation to any person
who ceases to be member of the Board by virute of the amendment made in
sub-section (1) of section 5 by sub-clause (ii) of clause (a) of section 5 of the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendement) Act, 1982).
9
6. Term of off ice and conditions of service of Members of the Board : (1)
The term for which the Board may be reconstituted under section 5A shall be
three years from the date of the reconstitution and the Chairman and other
Members of the Board as so reconstituted shall hold office till the expiry of the
term for which the Board has been so reconstituted.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1):

 (a) the term of office of an ex-officio Member shall continue so long as he holds
the off ice by virtue of which he is such a Member;

(b) the term of off ice of a Member elected or chosen under clause (c), clause (e),
clause (g), clause (h) or clause (i) of section 5 to represent anybody of persons
shall come to an end as soon as he ceases to be a Member of the body which
elected him or in respect of which he was chosen;

(c) the term of office of a Member appointed, nominated, elected or chosen to fill
a casual vacancy shall continue for the remainder of the term of office of the
Member in whose place he is appointed, nominated, elected or chosen;

(d) the Central Government may, at any time, remove for reasons to be recorded in
writing a member from office after giving him a reasonable opportunity of
showing cause against the proposed removal and any vacancy caused by such
removal shall be treated as casual vacancy for the purpose of clause (c).

(3) 'The members of the Board shall receive such allowance, if any, as the Board
may, subject to the previous approval of the Central Government, provided by
regulations made in this behalf,

(4) No act done or proceeding taken by the Board shall be questioned on the
ground merely of the existence of any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution
of the Board and in particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, during the period intervening between the expiry of the term for
which the Board has been reconstituted under section 5A and its further
reconstitution under that section, the ex-officio members of the Board shall
discharge all the powers and function of the Board.)

7. Secretary and other employees of the Board : (1) The Central Government
shall appoint 10xxxxx the Secretary of the Board.

(2) Subject to such rules as may be made by the Central Government in this
behalf, the Board may appoint such number of other officers and employees as
may be necessary for the exercise of its powers and the discharge of its
functions and may determine the terms and conditions of service of such
officers and other employees by regulations made by it with the previous
approval of the Central Government.

8. Funds of the Board : The funds of the Board shall consist of grants made to it from
time to Board time by the Government and of contributions, subscriptions, bequests,
gifts and the like made to it by any local authority or by any other person.

9. Functions of the Board :The functions of the Board shall be Board

(a) to keep the law in force in, India for the prevention of cruelty to animals under
constant study and advise the Government on the amendments to be
undertaken in any such law from time to time;
(b) to advise the Central Government on the making of rules under this Act with a
view to preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals generally, and
more particularly when they are being transported from one place to another or
when they are used as performing animals or when they are kept in captivity or
confinement;

(c) to advise the Government or any local authority or other person on

improvements in the design of vehicles so as to lessen the burden on draught
animals;

(d) to take all such steps as the Board may think fit for 11(amelioration of animals)
by encouraging or providing for, the construction of sheds, water-troughs and
the like and by providing for veterinary assistance to animals:

(e) to advise the Government or any local authority or other person in the design
of slaughter-houses or the maintenance of slaughter houses or in connection
with slaughter of animals so that unnecessary pain or suffering, whether
physical or mental, is eliminated in the pre-slaughter stages as far as possible,
and animals are killed; wherever necessary, in as humane a manner as
possible;

(f) to take all such steps as the Board may think fit to ensure that unwanted
animals are destroyed by local authorities, whenever it is necessary to do so,
either instantaneously or after being rendered insensible to pain or suffering.

(g) to encourage by the grant of financial assistance or otherwise, 12(the formation

or establishment of pinjrapoles, rescue homes, animal shelters, sanctuaries and
the like) where animals and birds may find a shelter when they have become
old and useless or when they need protection:

(h) to co-operate with, and co-ordinate the work of, associations or bodies
established for the purpose of preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to
animals or for the protection of animals and birds;

(i) to give financial and other assistance to animal welfare organisations

functioning in any local area or to encourage the formation of animal welfare
organisations in any local area which shall work under the general supervision
and guidance of the Board;

(j) to advise the Government on matters relating to the medical care and attention
which may be provided in animal hospital, and to give financial and other
assistance to animal hospitals whenever the Board thinks it necessary to do so;

(k) to impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and to

encourage the formation of public opinion against the infliction of unnecessary
pain or suffering to animals and for the promotion of animal welfare by means
of lectures, books, posters, cinematographic exhibitions and the like;
 (l) to advise the Government on any matter connected with animal welfare or the
prevention of infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.

10. Power of Board to make regulations : The Board may, subject to the previous
approval of the Central Government, make such regulations as it may think fit for the
administration of its affairs and for carrying out its functions.

CHAPTER III
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS GENERALLY

11. Treating animals cruelly : (1) If any person

(a) beats, kicks, over-rides, over-drives, over-loads, tortures or otherwise treats

any animal so as to subject it to unnecessary pain or suffering or causes, or
being the owner permits, any animal to be so treated; or
13
(b) (employs in any work or labour or for any purpose any animal which, by
reason of its age or any disease) infirmity; wound, sore or other cause, is unfit
to be so employed or, being the owner, permits any such unfit animal to be
employed; or

(c) wilfully and unreasonably administers any injurious drug or injurious

substance to 14(any animal) or wilfully and unreasonably causes or attempts to
cause any such drug or substance to be taken by 15(any animal;) or

(d) conveys or carries, whether in or upon any vehicle or not, any animal in such a
manner or position as to subject it to unnecessary pain or suffering; or

(e) keeps or confines any animal in any -cage or other receptacle which does not
measure sufficiently in height, length and breadth to permit the animal a
reasonable opportunity for movement; or

f) keeps for an unreasonable time any animal chained or tethered upon an

unreasonably short or unreasonably heavy chain or cord; or

(g) being the owner, neglects to exercise or cause to be exercised reasonably any
dog habitually chained up or kept in close confinement; or

(h) being the owner of (any animal) fails to provide such animal with sufficient
food, drink or shelter; or

(i) without reasonable cause, abandons any animal in circumstances which tender
it likely that it will suffer pain by reason of starvation thirst; or

(j) wilfully permits any animal, of which he is the owner, to go at large in any
street, while the animal is affected with contagious or infectious disease or,
without reasonable excuse permits any diseased or disabled animal, of which
he is the owner, to die in any street; or
(k) offers for sale or without reasonable cause, has in his possession any animal
which is suffering pain by reason of mutilation, starvation, thirst,
overcrowding or other illtreatment; or
16
{(1) mutilates any animal or kills any animal (including stray dogs) by using the
method of strychnine injections, in the heart or in any other unnecessarily cruel
manner or;)
17
{(m) solely with a view to providing entertainment

(i) confines or causes to be confined any animal (including tying of an animal as a

bait in a tiger or other sanctuary) so as to make it an object or prey for any
other animal; or
18
(n) [xxxx] organises, keeps uses or acts in the management or, any place for
animal fighting or for the purpose of baiting any animal or permits or offers
any place to be so used or receives money for the admission of any other
person to any place kept or used for any such purposes; or

(o) promotes or takes part in any shooting match or competition wherein animals
are released from captivity for the purpose of such shooting:

he shall be punishable 19(in the case of a first offence, with fine which shall not be less
than ten rup6es but which may extend to fifty rupees and in the case of a
second or subsequent offence committed within three years of the previous
offence, with fine which shall not be less than twenty-five rupees but which
may extend, to one hundred rupees or with imprisonment for a term which
may extend, to three months, or with both.]

(2) For the purposes of section (1) an owner shall be deemed to have committed
an offence if he has failed to exercise reasonable care and supervision with a
view to the prevention of such offence;

Provided that where an owner is convicted permitting cruelty by reason only of

having failed to exercise such care and supervision, he shall not be liable to
imprisonment without the option of a fine.

(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to -

(a) the dehorning of cattle, or the castration or branding or noseroping of any

animal in the prescribed manner, or
20
(b) the destruction of stray dogs in lethal chambers [by such other methods as
may be prescribed] or

(c) the extermination or destruction of any animal under the authority of any law
for the time being in force; or
 (d) any matter dealt with in Chapter IV; or

(e) the commission or omission of any act in the course of the destruction or the
preparation for destruction of any animal as food for mankind unless such
destruction or preparation was accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary
pain or suffering.

12. Penalty for practising phooka or doom dev : If any persons upon any cow or other
milch animal the operation called practising phooka or 21[doom dev or any other
operation (including injection of any or doom dev. substance) to improve lactation
which is injurious to the health of the animal] or permits such operation being
performed upon any such animal in his possession or under his control, he shall be
punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to two years, or with both, and the animal on which the
operation was performed shall be forfeited to the Government.

13. ‘Destruction of suffering animals’ : (1) Where the owner of an animal is

convicted of an offence under section 11, it shall be lawful for the court, if the court
is satisfied that it would be cruel to keep the animal alive, to direct that the animal be
destroyed and to assign the animals to any suitable person for that purpose, and the
person to whom such animal is so assigned shall as soon as possible, destroy such
animal or cause such animal to be destroyed in his presence without unnecessary
suffering: and any reasonable expense incurred in destroying the animal may be
ordered by the court, if the court is satisfied that it would be cruel to keep the animal
alive, to direct that the animal be destroyed and to assign the animal to any
reasonable expense incurred in destroying the animal mal be ordered by the court to
be recovered from the owner as if it were a fine:

Provided that unless the owner assents thereto, no order shall be made under
this section except upon the evidence of a veterinary officer in charge of the
area.

(2) When any magistrate, commissioner of police or district superintendent of

police has reason to believe that an offence under section 11 has been
committed in respect of any animal, he may direct the immediate destruction
of the animal, if in his opinion, it would be cruel to keep the animal alive.

(3) Any police officer above the rank of a constable or any person authorised by
the State Government in this behalf who finds any animal so diseased or so
severely injured or in such a physical condition that in his opinion it cannot be
removed without cruelty, may, if the owner is absent or refuses his consent to
the destruction of the animal, forth with summon the veterinary officer in
charge of the area in which the animal is found, and if the veterinary officer
certifies that the animal is mortally injured or so severely injured or in such a
physical condition that it would be cruel to keep it alive, the police officer or
the person authorised, as the case may be, may, after obtaining orders from a
magistrate, destroy the animal injured or cause it to be destroyed; 22(in such
manner as may be prescribed)
 (4) No appeal shall lie from any order of a magistrate for the destruction of an
animal.

CHAPTER IV
EXPERIMENTATION OF ANIMALS

14. Experiments on animals : Nothing contained in this Act shall render unlawful the
performance of experiments (including) experiments involving operations) on animals
for the purpose of advancement by new discovery of physiological knowledge or of
knowledge which will be useful for saving or for prolonging life or alleviating
suffering or for combating any disease, whether of human beings, animals or plants.

15. Committee for control and supervision of experiments on animals : (1)If at any
time, on the advice of the Board, the Central Government is of opinion that it is
necessary so to do for the purpose of controlling "and supervising experiments on
animals it may be notification in the Official Gazette

Constitute a Committee consisting of such number of officials and

non-officials, as it may think fit to appoint thereto.

(2) The Central Government shall nominate one of the Members of the Committee
to be its Chairman.

(3) The Committee shall have power to regulate its own Procedure in relation to
the performance of its duties.

(4) The funds of the Committee shall consist of grants made to it from time to
time by the Government and of contributions, donations, subscriptions,
bequests, gifts and the like made to it by any person.
23
[15A. Sub-Committee : (1) The Committee may constitute as many sub-committees
as it thinks fit for exercising any power or discharging any duty of the
Committee or for inquiring into or reporting and advising on any matter which
the Committee may refer.

(2) A sub-committee shall consist exclusively of the Members of the Committee.)

16. Staff of the Committee : Subject to the control of the Central Government, the
Committee may committee appoint such number of officers and other employees as
may be necessary to enable it to exercise ills powers and perform its duties and may
determine the remuneration and other terms and conditions of service of such officers
and other employees.

17. Duties of the Committee and power of the Committee to make rules relating to
experiments on animals : (1) It shall be the duty of the Committee to take all such
measures as may be necessary to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary
pain or suffering before, during or after the performance of experiments on them, and
for the purpose it may, by notification in the Gazette of India and subject to the
condition of previous publication, make such rules as it may think fit in animals
relation to the conduct of such experiments.
24
[(lA)In particular, and without prejudice to the generality to the foregoing power,
such rules may provide for the following matters namely:

(a) the registration of persons or institutions carrying on experiments on animals;

(b) the reports and other information which shall be forwarded to the Committee
by persons and institutions carrying on experiments or, animals.]

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,
rules made by the Committee shall be designed to secure the following objects,
namely:

(a) that in cases where experiments are performed in any institution, the
responsibility therefore is placed on the person in charge of the institution and
that, in cases where experiments are performed outside an institution by
individuals, the individuals, are performed outside an institution by
individuals, the individuals, are qualified in that behalf and the experiments
are performed on their full responsibility;

(b) that experiments are performed with due care and humanity and that as far as
possible experiments involving operations are performed under the influence
of some anaesthetic of sufficient power to prevent the animals feeling pain;

(c) that animals which, in the course of experiments under the influence of
anaesthetics, are so injured that their recovery would involve serious suffering,
are ordinarily destroyed while still insensible;

(d) that experiments on animals are avoided wherever it is possible to do so; as for
example; in medical schools, hospitals, colleges and the like, if other teaching
devices such as books, models, films and the. like, may equally suffice;

(e) that experiments on larger animals are avoided when it is possible to achieve
the same results by experiments upon small laboratory animals like
guinea-'pigs, rabbits, frogs and rats;

(f) that, as far as possible, experiments are not performed merely for the purpose
of acquiring manual skill;

(g) that animals intended for the performance of experiments are properly looked
after both before and after experiments;

(h) that suitable records are maintained with respect to experiments performed on
animals

(3) In making any rules under this section, the Committee shall be guided by such
directions as the Central Government (consistently with the objects for which
 the Committee is set up) may give to it, and the Central Government is hereby
authorised to give such direction.

(4) All rules made by the Committee shall be binding on all individuals
performing experiments outside institutions and on persons incharge of
institutions in which experiments are performed.

18. Power of entry and inspection : For the purpose of ensuring that the rules made by it
are being complied and with the Committee may authorise any of its officers or any
other person in writing to inspect any institution or place where experiments are being
carried on and report to it as a result of such inspection, and any officer or person so
authorised may-

(a) enter at any time considered reasonable by him and inspect any institution or
place in which experiments on animals are being carried on; and

(b) require any person to produce any record kept by him with respect to
experiments on animals.

19. Power to prohibit experiments on animals : If the Committee is satisfied, on the

report of any officer or other person made to it as a result of any inspection under
section 18 or otherwise that the rules made by it under section 17 are not being
animals the Committee may, after giving an opportunity to the person or institution
carrying on experiments on animals; the Committee may, after giving an opportunity
to the person or institution of being heard in the matter, by order, prohibit the person
or institution from carrying on any such experiments either for a specified period or
indefinitely, or may allow the person or institution to carry on such experiments
subject to such special conditions as the Committee may think fit to impose.

20. Penalties : If any person-

(a) contravenes any order made by the Committee under section 19; or
(b) commits a breach of any condition imposed by the Committee under that
section:

he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, and, when
the contravention or breach of condition has taken place in any institution the person
incharge of the institution shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be
punishable accordingly.

CHAPTER V
PERFORMING ANIMALS

21. “Exhibit” and “train” defined : In this Chapter, " exhibit" means exhibit or any
entertainment to which the public are admitted through sale of tickets, and "train"
means train for the purpose of any such exhibition, and the expressions "exhibitor"
and "trainer" have respectively the corresponding meanings.
22. Restriction on exhibition and training of performing animals : No person shall
exhibit or train
(i) any performing animal unless he is registered in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter;

(ii) as a performing animal, any animal which the Central Government may, by
notification in the official gazette, specify as an animal which shall not be
exhibited or trained as a performing animal.

23. Procedure for registration : (1) Every person desirous of exhibiting or training
any performing animal shall, on making an application in the prescribed form
to the prescribed authority and on payment of the prescribed fee, be registered
under this Act unless he is a person who, by reason of an order made by the
court under this Chapter, is not entitled to be so registered.
(2) An application for registration under this Chapter shall contain such particulars
as to the animals and as to the general nature of the performances in which the
animals are to be exhibited or for which they are to be trained as may be
prescribed, and the particulars so given shall be entered in the register
maintained by the prescribed authority.

(3) The prescribed authority shall give to every person whose name appears on the
register kept by them, a certificate of registration in the prescribed form
containing the particulars entered in the register.

(4) Every register kept under this Chapter shall at all reasonable times be open for
inspection on payment of the prescribed fee, and any person shall, on payment
of the prescribed fee, be entitled to obtain copies thereof or make extracts
therefrom.

(5) Any person whose name is entered in the register shall, subject to the
provisions of any order made under this Act by any court, be entitled, on
making an application for the purpose, to have the particulars entered in the
register with respect to him varied, and where any such particulars are so
varied, the existing certificate shall be cancelled and a new certificate issued.

24. Power of court to prohibit or restrict exhibition and training of performing

animals : (1) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of any magistrate on a complaint
made by a police officer or an officer authorised in writing by the prescribed authority
referred to in section 23, that the training or exhibition of any performing animals has
been accompanied by unnecessary pain or suffering and should be prohibited or
allowed only subject to conditions, the court may make an order against the person in
respect of whom the complaint is made, prohibiting the training or exhibition or
imposing such conditions in relation thereto, as may be specified by the order.

(2) Any court by which an order is made under this section, shall cause a copy of
the order to be sent, as soon as may be after the order is made, to the
prescribed authority by which the person against whom the order is made is
registered, and shall cause the particulars of the order to be endorsed upon the
certificate field by the person, and that person shall produce his certificate on
 being so required by the court for the purposes of endorsement, and the
prescribed authority to which a copy of an order is sent under "his section shall
enter the particulars of the order in that register;

25. Power to enter premises : (1) Any person authorised in writing by the
prescribed authority referred to in section 23 and any police officer not below the rank
of a sub-inspector may

(a) enter at all reasonable times and inspect any premises in which any performing
animals are being trained or exhibited or kept for training or exhibition, and
any such animals found therein; and

(b) require any person who, he has reason to believe is a trainer or exhibitor of
performing animals to produce his certificate of registration,
(2) No person or police officer referred to in sub section (1) shall be entitled under
this section to go on or behind the stage during a public performance of
performing animals.

26. Offences : If any person -

(a) not being registered under this chapter, exhibits or trains any performing
animal; or

(b) being registered under the Act, exhibits or trains any performing animal with
respect to which or in a manner with respect to which, he is not registered; or

(c) exhibits or trains as a performing animal, any animal which is not to be used
for the purpose by reason of a notification issued under clause (ii) of section
22; or

(d) obstructs or wilfully delays any person or police officer referred to in section
25 in the exercise of powers under this Act as to entry and inspection; or

(e) conceals any animal with a view to avoiding such inspection: or

(f) being a person registered under 'the Act, on being duly required in pursuance
of this Act to produce his certificate under this Act, fails without reasonable
excuse so to do; or

(g) applies to be registered under this Act when not entitled to be so registered,

He shall be punishable on conviction with fine which may extend to five

hundred rupees or with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or
with both.

27. Exemptions : Nothing contained in this Chapter shall apply to -

(a) the training of animals for bonafide military or police purpose or the exhibition
of any animals so trained; or
 (b) any animals kept in any zoological garden or by any society or association
which has for its principal object the exhibition of animals for educational or
scientific purposes.

CHAPTER VI
MISCELLANEOUS

28. Saving as respects manner of killing prescribed by religion : Nothing contained in

this Act shall render it an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the
religion of any community.

29. Power of court to deprive person convicted of ownership of animal : (1) If

the owner of any animal is found guilty of any offence under this Act. the court upon
his conviction thereof, may, if it thinks fit, in addition to any other punishment make
an order that the animal with respect to which the offence was committed shall be
forfeited to Government and may, further, make such order as to the disposal of the
animal as it thinks fit under the circumstances.

(2) No order under sub section (1) shall be made unless it is shown by evidence as
to a -previous conviction under this Act or as to the character of the owner or
otherwise as to the treatment of the animal that the animal if left with the
owner, is likely to be exposed to further cruelty.

(3) without prejudice to the provision contained in sub-section (1), the court may
also order that a person convicted of an offence under this Act shall, either
permanently or during such period as is fixed by the order, be prohibited from
having the custody of any animal of any kind whatsoever, or as the court
thinks fit of any animal of any kind or species specified in the order.

(4) No order under sub-section (3) shall be made unless

(a) it is shown by evidence as to a previous conviction or as to the character of the

said person or otherwise as to the treatment of the animal in relation to which
he has been convicted that an animal in the custody of the said person is likely
to be exposed to cruelty;

(b) it is stated in the complaint upon which the conviction was made that it is the
intention of the complaint upon the conviction of the accused to request that an
order be made as aforesaid and

(c) the offence for which the conviction was made was committed in an area in
which under the law for the time being in force a licence is necessary for the
keeping of any such animal as that in respect of which the conviction was
made.

(5) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law for the time
being in force, any person in respect of whom an order is made under
sub-section (3) shall have no right to the custody of any animal contrary to the
 provisions of the order, and if he contravenes the provisions oil any order, he
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or.
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with both.

(6) Any court which has made an order under sub-section (3) may at any time,
either on its own motion or on application made to it in this behalf, rescind or
modify such order.

30. Presumptions as to guilt in certain cases : If any person is charged with the offences
of killing a goat, cow or its to guilt in progeny contrary to the provisions of clause (1)
of sub section (1) or section 11, and it is proved that such person had in his
possession, at the time the offence is alleged to have been committed, the skin of any
such animal as is referred to in this section with any the skin of any such animal as is
referred to in this section with any part of the skin of the head attached thereto, it shall
be presumed until the contrary is proved that such animal was killed in a cruel
manner.

31. Cognizability of offences : Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or

Criminal procedure, 1898, (5 of 1898) an offence punishable under clause (1) or
clause (n) or clause, (o) of sub-section (1) of section 11 or under section 12 shall be a
cognizable offence within the meaning of that code.

32. Powers of search and seizure : (1) If a police officer not below the rank of sub
inspector, or any person authorised by the State Government in this behalf has reason
to believe that an offence under clause (1) of sub-section (1) of section 11 in respect
of any such animal as is referred to in section 30 is being, or that any person has in his
possession the skin of any such animal with any part of the skin of the head
attached thereto, he, may enter and search such place or any place in which he has
reason to believe any such skin to be, and may seize such skin or any article or thing
used or intended to be used in the commission of such offence.

(2) If a police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector, or any person
authorised by the State Government in this behalf, has reason to believe that
phooka or 25(doom dev or any other operation of the nature referred to in
section 12) has just been or is being, performed on any animal within the
limits of his jurisdiction, he may enter any place in which he has reason to
believe such animal to be, and may seize the animal and produce it for
examination by the veterinary officer incharge of the area in which the animal
is seized.

33. Search warrants : (1) If a magistrate of the first or second class or a presidency
magistrate or a commissioner of police or district superintendent of police, upon
information in writing; and after such inquiry as he thinks necessary, has reason to
believe that an offence under this Act is being, or is about to be, or has been
committed in any place, he may either himself enter and search or by his warrant
authorise any police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector to enter and search the
place.
 (2) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, relating to searches
shall so far as those provision can be made applicable, apply to searches under
this Act.

34. General Power of seizure for examination : Any police officer above the rank of a
constable or any person authorised seizure for by the State Government in this behalf,
who has reason to believe that examination an offence against this Act has been or is
being, committed in respect of any animal, may, if in his opinion the circumstances so
require, seize the animal and produce the same for examination by the nearest
magistrate or by such veterinary officer as may be prescribed; and such police officer
or authorised person may, when seizing the animal, require the person in charge
thereof to accompany it to the place of examination.

35. Treatment and care of animals : (1) The State Government, may by general
or special order appoint infirmaries for the treatment and care of animals in respect of
which offences against this Act have been committed, and may authorise the detention
therein of any animal pending its production before a magistrate.

(2) The magistrate before whom a prosecution for an offence against this Act has
been instituted may direct that the

animals concerned shall be treated and cared for in an infirmary, until it is fit
to perform its usual work or is otherwise fit for discharge, or that it shall be
sent to a pinjrapole, or if the veterinary officer in charge of the area in which
the animal is found or such a veterinary officer as may be authorised in this
behalf by rules made under this Act certifies that it is incurable or cannot be
removed without cruelty, that it shall be destroyed.

(3) An animal sent for care and treatment to an infirmary shall not, unless the
magistrate directs that it shall be sent to a pinjrapole or that it shall be
destroyed, be released from such place except upon a certificate of its fitness
for discharge issued by the veterinary officer in charge of the area in which the
infirmary is situated or such other veterinary officer as may be authorised in
this behalf by rules made under this Act.

(4) The cost of transporting the animal to an infirmary or pinjrapole and of its
maintenance and treatment in an infirmary, shall be payable by the district
magistrate, or, in presidency-towns, by the commissioner of police;

Provided that when the magistrate so orders on account of the poverty of the
owner of the animal, no charge shall be payable for the treatment of the
animal.

(5) Any amount payable by an owner of an animal under sub-section (4) may be
recovered in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue,

(6) If the owner refuses or neglects to remove the animal within such time as a
magistrate may specify, the magistrate may direct that the animal be sold and
that the proceeds of the same be applied to the payment of such cost.
 (7) The surplus, if any, of the proceeds of such sale shall, on application made by
the owner within two months from the date of the sale be paid to him.

36. Limitation of prosecutions : A prosecution for an offence against this Act shall not
be instituted after prosecutions the expiration of three months from the date of the
commission of the offence.

37. Delegation of powers : The Central Government may, by notification in the official
Gazette, direct that all or any of the powers exercisable by it under this Act, may,
subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, be also exercisable by any
State Government.

38. Power to make rules : (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette and subject to the condition of previous publication, make rules to
carry out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,
the Central Government may make rules providing for all or any of the
following matters, namely:

(a) the 26(xxxx) conditions of service of members of the Board, the allowances
payable to them and the manner in which they may exercise their powers and
discharge their functions.
27
[(aa) the manner in which the persons to represent municipal corporation are to be
elected under clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section

(b) the maximum load (including any load occasioned by the weight of
passengers) to be carried or drawn by any animal;

(c) the conditions to be observed for preventing the overcrowding of animals; the
period during which, and the hours between which, any class of animals shall
not be used for draught purposes:

(a) prohibiting the use of any bit or harness involving cruelty to animals;
28
[(ea)the other methods of destruction of stray dogs referred to in clause (b) of
sub-section (3) of section 11;

(eb) the methods by which any animal which cannot be removed without cruelty
may be destroyed under sub-section (3) of section 13,]

(f) requiring persons carrying on the business of a farrier to be licensed and

registered by such authority as may be prescribed and levying a fee for the
purpose;

(g) the precautions to be taken in the capture of animals for purposes of sale,
export or for any other purpose, and the different appliances or devices that
 may alone be used for the purpose; and the licensing of such capture and the
levying of fees for such licences;

(h) the precautions to be taken in the transport of animals whether by rail, road,
inland waterway, sea or air and the manner in which and the cages or other
receptacles in which they may be so transported;

(i) requiring person owning or in charge of premises in which animals are kept or
milked to register such permises, to comply

with such conditions as may be laid down in relation to the boundary walls or
surroundings of such premises, to permit their inspection for the purpose of
ascertaining whether any offence under this Act is being, or has been
committed therein, and to expose in such premises copies of section 12 in a
language or languages commonly understood in the locality;

(j) the form in which applications for registration under Chapter V may be made,
the particulars to be contained therein the fees payable for such registration
and the authorities to whom such applications may be made;
29
[ja) the fees which may be charged by the Committee constituted under section 15
for the registration of persons or institutions carrying on experiments on
animals or for any other purpose;]

(k) the purposes to which fines realised under the Act may be applied, including
such purposes as the maintenance of infirmaries, pinjrapole and veterinary
hospitals;

(1) any other matter which has to be, or may be prescribed.

(3) If any person contravenes, or abets the contravention of, any rules made under
this section, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred
rupees, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or
with both.
30
[XXXX]
31
[38A. Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament : Every rule made by the
Central Government or by the Committee constituted under section 15 and
every regulation made. by the Board shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is
made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period
of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more
successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree
in making any modification in the rule or regulation, as the case may be,
should not be made the rule or regulation shall there after have effect only in
such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that
any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity
of anything previously done under that rule or regulation.]
39. Persons authorised under section 34 to be public servants : Every person
authorised by the State Government under section 34 shall be deemed to be a public
servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal code.

40. Indemnity : No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person
who is, or who is deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of
the Indian Penal Code in respect of anything in good faith done or intended to be done
under this Act.

41. Repeal of Act 11 of 1890 : Where in pursuance of a notification under subsection (3)
of section 1 of 1890 any provision of this Act comes into force in any State, any
provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890, which corresponds to the
provision so coming into force, shall thereupon stand repealed.
___________________________________________________________________________
ANNEXURE

Notifications under section 1 (3) of the Act bringing it into force in specified States and
Union Territories.

1. (a) Chapters I and II came into force in the States of Assam, Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Mysore (Karnataka), Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and the Union
Territories of Delhi, Manipur and Tripura on the 1st September, 1961, Vide
Notification No. 9-2/61 L.D dated 25th August, 1951/Bhadra, 1883 of
Government of India. Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Department of
Agriculture).

(b) Chapter IV came into force in the States of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Gujarat, Kerala, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Mysore (Karnataka), Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and in
the Union Territories of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura on the
15 July, 1963, vide Notification No. 19-12/63-LD dated 11th July 1963/20th
Asadha, 1885 (S.E.) of Government of India, Ministry of Food and Agriculture
(Department of Agriculture).

(c) Chapters III and IV came into force in the States of Assam, Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Mysore (Karnataka), Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and the Union
Territories of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura on the 20th
November, 1963, vide Notification No. 9-24/62-LD dated 29th October,
1963/7th Kartika 1885 (S.E.) of Government of India, Ministry of Food and
Agriculture (Department of Agriculture)

(d) Chapters III and VI came into force in West Bengal on the 1st June, 1975, vide
Notification No. 21-2/74-LDI. dated 28th May, 1975 of Government of India,
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Department of Agriculture)
 (e) The whole Act came into force in the State of Punjab and the Union Territory
of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the 1st April, 1961 vide Notification No.
9-2/61-LD of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

(f) Chapters I and II came into force in the then Union Territory of Himachal
Pradesh on the 2nd October, 1961, vide Notification No. 9-2/61 LP of the
Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

(g) Chapters I and II came into force on the 26th January, 1962 in the State of
Rajasthan vide Notification No. 9-2/61-LD. of the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture.

(h) Chapter V came into force in all the States and Union Territories (except
Jammu & Kashmir) on 24th May 1977 Vide Notification No. 14-22/76-LDI
dated 24th May 1977 of Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigation (Department of Agriculture).

_________________________________
1
See Annexure for notifications under Section 1 (3)
1
Subs. by Act. 26 of 1982 which came into force on 30th July 1982.
2
Subs. by Act 26 of 1982; S.3, for the words "Animal Welfare Board".
3
Sub-ibid, SA for the words "Animal Welfare Board".
4
inserted by Act 26 of 1982; S. 5 (a) (i)
5
Subs. - ibid S. 5 (a) (ii) for the original clause.
6
Subs. by Act 26 of 1982: S.5 (b), for the word, brackets and letter clause (b)
7
Subs. ibid, S.5 (c) for the original clause.
8
ins. ibid, S.6.
9
Subs., by Act 26 of 1982, S.7, for the original Section.
10
The words "one of its officers to be" omitted by Act 26 of 1982,
11
Subs, by Act 26 of 1982, S.9 (a) for the word "ameliorating the condition of beasts of
burden
12
"Subs, ibid, S, 9 (b) for the words "the formation of pinjrapoles, sanctuaries and the like"
13
Subs. by Act 26 of 1982, S. 10 (a) (i) for the words "employs in any work or labour any
animal which, by reason of any disease";
14
Subs. ibid S.10 (a) (ii) for the words "any domestic or captive animal".
15
Subs, ibid S. 10 (a) (ii) for the words "any captive animal".
16
Subs. by Act 26 of 1982, S. 10 (a) (iv) for the original clause.
17
Subs. ibid. S. 10 (a) (v) for the original clause.
18
The words "for the purposes of his business" omitted by Act 26 of 1982, S. 10 (a) (vi)
19
Subs. ibid S. 10 (a) (vii) for the portion beginning with the words "in the case of a first
offence" and ending with the words "or with both".
20
Subs. by Act 26 of 1982, S. 10 (b), for the words "by the other methods with a minimum of
suffering".
21
Subs. ibid S. 11, for the words, "doom dev"
22
Ins. by Act 26 of 1982, S. 12
23
Ins. by Act 26 of 1982, S. 13.
24
Ins. by Act 26 of 1982, S. 14.
25
Subs. by Act 26 of 1982 S. 15 for the words "doom dev".
26
The words "terms and" omitted by Act 26 of 1982, S. 16 (a) (i).
27
Ins ibid S. 16 (a) (H).
28
Ins by Act 26 of 1982 S. 16 (a) (iii)
29
Ins. by Act 26 of 1982. S. 16 (a) (iv)
30
Sub-section (4) of the Principal Act omitted by Act 26 of 1982. S. 16(b)
31
Ins. ibid S, 17.